Yin Li was an official who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty. He served under various warlords, Tao Qian, Lü Bu, and then Cao Cao. After the breakout of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, he joined Tao Qian's forces along with Zang Ba, Yuan Guan, Chang Xi, Sun Guan and Wu Dun, and gathered soldiers in Xu Province. He battled the Yellow Turban rebels, and they stationed themselves in Kaiyang. He later became a bandit on Mount Tai along with Sun Guan. He was called into Lü Bu's service by Chen Gong as they were about to face Cao Cao. He attempted an ambush on Cao Cao's forces but was thwarted by Xu Chu. After Lü Bu's death, he joined Cao Cao's ranks.